Former left-handed batter Rohan Gavaskar reckoned that KL Rahul will have to sacrifice his position at the top if Virat Kohli continues to open for India in T20Is. The 33-year-old Kohli opened the batting for the Men in Blue in their final Super Four match against Afghanistan a few days ago at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
After not having such a great run in the tournament, Kohli finished his campaign with an unbeaten 61-ball knock of 122 with the help of 12 fours and six sixes. On the back of his knock, India went on to score 212 for the loss of two wickets, after which they won the match by 101 runs.
“Look, in terms of should Virat be opening, I think it’s a great option. You look at his T20 numbers, they are outstanding. He averages about 55-57 and his strike rate is about 160. Those are phenomenal numbers. His last innings, again unbeaten innings of 122, tells you that he probably relishes opening as well,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying.
“If memory serves me right, he wanted to open or he said he wanted to open in the Indian T20 league in this edition or the last edition, he said that’s the spot I want to be. So, it’s obviously something that he wants to do. So, it’s definitely a big option for the Indian team,” he stated.
“It does open up those options and you’re right, SKY batting at number 3 it’s a pleasing thought. But I have to say if Virat opens, he showed what a tremendous success he is as an opener. It means one of my favourite players will have to make way which is KL Rahul.
